Lighting and ignition switch



EOHLMAN LIGHTING AND IGNITION SWITCH Filed vafoh 9, 1925 2 Sheets-She@ ZYUE'ZZ 71". fag/5501222272527 ERNEST A. BOHLYTAN, OF CHIG, ILlZllii-IS, ASSEGNO?, T@ KELLQGG SWETGHBORB IND SPELY CQMPANY, @F CHICAG, ELLENQES, il. CRFOEIATEON F ELLNGILS.

Application filed March 9, 1925.

My invention relates to electrical switches in general but more particularly to switches for controlling a plurality of circuits. The present embodiment of my invention is for 4use in connection with ignition and lighting,

\ i circuits of automobiles or the like.

, It is an object of my invention to produce an improved device of the class described which embodies desirable features and advantages, all in a simple and eiiicient manner, and a feature of my invention is the provision of novel means for associating the actuating levers of the lighting and ignition units of the switch with the rotor elements 'of the lighting and ignition units and to secure them' against lateral movement; and to secure theparts which comprise the rotor elements that form the rotatable units, together without the aid of complicated fastening means such as nuts and threaded members.

Another feature of my invention is the provision of a novel method of holding the rotor elements of the lighting and ignition units in their different 4operative positions which means provides a snap action for the rotor elements as they are moved to their different operative positions.

A feature of my invention is the provision of a simple horn button, mounted and op- ;:o erating in association with the lighting and ignition switch.

The above features, as well as others, will be more fully described hereinafter, and for a more complete understanding of my invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters in the diierent views denote like parts and in which:

Fig. l is a face view of the combination switch of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a right side elevation of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of Fig. 1;

Fig. i-is an interior-view of the mechanism with the base removed;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Figli;

Fig. 6 is a face view of the base illustrating the contact arrangement of the ignition and lightin units of the switch;

Fig. is a View of the interior mechanism,

Serial Ie. 337,942.

partei the apparatus being removed to show, more clearly, the method and means used or holding the lighting and ignition units in any of their operative positions;

I Fig. 8 is a sectional view or the actuating lever, of one of the switch units, and its asso ciated parts;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view along the line 9-9 o' Fig. 6; F ig. l@ is a partial sectional View illustrating the retaining means :tor the spring and halls which yieldingly hold the units in their operative positions;

Fig. il is a `disassembled perspective view ci the actuating lever and its associated parts, and;

Fig. l2is a :fragmentary plan view oit the support for the ball members which are associated with the disks or the rotor elements.

lin referring to my invention in general, as it is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it comprises lighting switch unit L, an ignition switch unit M, and a horn button unit HB. rllhe lighting switch unit L has anormal or od position A, and three operative positions B, C and D. rllhe switch unit L when in these tliierent o erative positions will close circuits to ei'ect t e lighting of certain lamps of the automobile. 'lhe ignition switch unit M has a normal or ed position E, in which position the ignition apparatus is rendered inoperative, and an operative position F, in which position the ignition Vcircuit is closed and thus rendered operative.v

Referring now more in det-ail to the switch S5 of my invention; l will first describe the back structure of the same. lThe back structure comprises, preferably, a circular mounting disk or base 2 made of any suitable insulating material such as libre. A number of suitable 9o contact members 3, l, 5', 6', 7', .8', 9', l0', ll and l2 are provided and secured in suitable slots 13 provided in the base 2. Contact members 3', l and 5 are associated with the ignition switch unit M and contacts 6', 7', 8, 95 9', 10', 1l and 12 are associated with the lighting switch unit L. As all the contact members are secured to the base in the same way a description .oi the means employed to Secure one Will suiice tor all. Assume that t0@ the contact member shown in Fig. 9 is 5", it is stamped out of suitable conducting 'material such as bram. The base 2 -which carries the contact members is-provided with a slot 13 4of a size to receive the reduced portion 52 protrudes slightly beyond the face 22 of the ase 2 and, by means of a suitable tool this protruding end is swaged to formv edges 5.3 and 5*, which secure' the member 5 in its slot 13 against lateral' movement. The intermediate portion is formed to present an arcuate portion 5, which forms the contact surface adapted to be engaged b the wipers W and W. The terminals, as siiown in Fig. 3, which extend up from the face `2 ofthe 'ase 2 are provided withsuitable means to permit the connection of external conductors and for this pu ose I provide a suitable tapped orifice 15. he screw 16, which has screw threaded engagement with the tapped orifice 15, secures a cli 17 in position for holding an external con uctor in place. A terminal 18, secured to the base 2 in the manner as already described, is provided with an integrally. formed laterally extending portion 18 which is provided with a depending member 4 that fits into a slot 13 and has its protruding portion shaped to form the `contact 4. The terminal 18 is connected with the contact 4" by this laterally extending portion 1 8', which thus connects the contact 4 of the ignition switch unit M to this terminal 18 which is with the contacts 6', 7 and 10 extend up from the face 2 of the base 2 and form terminals to which external conductors are connected as already described. The terminal 19 which is integrally formed with the contacts 8 and 9 serves as a terminal for contacts 8 and 9; and the terminal 20,' integrally formed with the contacts 11" and 12', serves as a terminal for contacts 11 and 12 and these two terminals form connecting means for external conductors.

An enclosing casing for housing the rotor circuit closing elements K and K', associated respectively with'the lighting unit L and the ignition unit M, comprises a plate member 21 provided with a dished portion 21" which is adapted to receive an escutcheon or designating plate 22 which bears the names of the dif? ferent positions to which the ignition and lighting switch units-L and M may be moved. A cup shaped member 23 is also provided and the bottom 24 of this member 23 is provided with a pair of orifices, in alignment with similar orifices in the plate member 21 and the escutcheon, plate l22, which are adapted to reeeive ferrules 25 to secure the plate 21 and the escutcheon 22together.

Rotor circuit closing elements K and K are provided for the ignition and lighting switch units M and L and are adapted to be rotatably supported within the cup 4shaped member 23. Asthe rotor elements K and K are similar in construction and assembly a description of one will sufiice for both. The rotor element K, associated with the lighting switch unit L, comprises. an adjusting lever 29 for rotating the rotor circuit closing element K. The lever 29 is provided with a shaft 28 which is provided with a cylindrical portion 30 adapted, when in position, to rest in the ferrule opening of its associated unit. A disk 26 associated with the lever shaft 28 is provided with a square orifice 27 of a size to permit it being lslipped onto the square portion 31 of the shaft 28 next to the cylindrical portion 30, and when thus positioned on the lever shaft 28, it is rotated by means of the actuating lever 29.

With the`lever 29 and its lever shaft 28 in position as just described the same may now be locked to prevent lateral movement and to this end I provide a novel locking arrangement to prevent the shaft 28 from moving laterally in the ferrule 25 and the square oriice 27 of the disk 26. The reduced portion 32 of the lever shaft 2 8 that protrudes through the disk 26 is provided with a slot or annular groove 33 located just below the square portion 31. lThe combined length of the cylindrical portion 30 of the shaft 28 and the square portion 31 is such soas to bring the face 31 of the square portion 31 approximately flush with face 262 of the disk 26. After the lever shaft 28 has been positioned with the square portion 31 in the square orifice 27 of the disk 26 a U shaped member 35, provided with a central opening 36 and of a thickness slightly smaller than the width of the annular grobve 33 of the lever shaft 28, is placed on the shaft 28 in such a way that the central opening 36 is around the reduced circular portion of the lever shaft 2 8. The distance v39 between the ends 37 and 38 of the member 36 is` slightly smaller than the 'diameter of the reduced portion of the shaft 28 in the groove 33 and this necessitates a forcing apart of the ends 37 and 38 when the member 36 is placed in position on the lever shaft 28. The ends 37 and 38 are forced-apart to permit the insertion of the U shaped member 35 into the groove 33 and when in position the ends 37 and 38 will spring back and as the space 39 is slightly less than the diameter of the reduced portion of the shaft in the groove 33, the member 35 will be held in its proper position. The face 40 of the member 35 rests against the face 41 of cylindrical portion 32 of the shaft 28 and the other face 40 of the member 35 rests against the face 262 of the disk 26 which disk has its other face 48 resting against the bottom 24 of the cup member 23. This method oi mounting and locking the `rotor element K'and its associated parts prevents the same from rocking and having lateral movement but enables it to be rotated as a whole to any of its predetermined desired positions.

' The rotor elements K and K', with which are associated the ievers 29 and 29', are adapted to be vrotated, through the agency of the levers 29 and 29', to their different operative positions, and to connect the contact combinations of the switch units L and M to close particularcircuits in their different operative positions l provide contact wiper carrying disks 44 and 45 associated respectively with the lighting and ignition switch units lL and M and as both ofthe wiper carrying disks 44 and 45 are of similar construction, a description of one will suflice.

` 'llhe contact wiper carrying disk 44, associated with the lighting switch unit L, comprises a disk 44 of suitable insulating material such as fibre upon which the wiper member W is supported. The wiper member lV comprises a disk shaped member 46 provided with three angularly displaced integrally formed tongue extensions 47 which are adapted to enter aligned orifices 48in the disk 44 by. means of a force fit to secure the same to the disk 44 against displacement or movement. The disk shaped member 46 is provided with radially disposed wiper arms 49, 50, 51 and 52 which are integrally formed therewith and are provided with iared end portions 49', 50', 51', and 52 which are adapt- 'ed to engage the contacts 6', 7 etc., of the lighting switch unit L, secured in the base 2. To associate the disk 44 and its supported Iwiper arms 49, 50, 51 and52 with the lever shaft 28 I provide a slot 53 in the disk 44 which receives the integrally formed lugs 54 and 55 located on the cylindrical portion 320i the lever shaft 28 and diametrically opposite each other, to support thedisk 44 on the lever, shaft 28. The slot 53 in association with the lugs 54 and 55 prevents movement of the disk 44 on the vshaft 28. When the lever 29 is-moved to any of its operative positions the disk 44 being supported as just described is rotated with the lever shaft 28 which causes the wiper arms 49, 50, 51 and 52 to engage the contacts 6', 7' etc., of the lighting switch unit L in the base 2. The ignition 'switch unit is also provided with a disk 45 carrying wiper arms 56, 57, 58 and 59 which, when mounted on the shaft 28', in a manner similar to the mounting'of disk 44, is adapted to engage with the contacts 3', 4'-, and 5' of 'the`ignition switch unit, in the base 2.

In order to maintain the rotor elements K and K in the positions to which they may be and 26 associated with the rotor elements K' and l' adapted to be engaged by a pair of balls 61 and 62 spring pressed into engagement with the peripheral faces or the disks '26 and 26' as will now be described. The cen- .two balls 61 and 62 which cooperate respectively with the notched disks26 and 26' of the rotor elements K and K'. The depth of the channel 63 between its inner face 63' and the face 24 of the base 24 of the casing 23 is slightly larger than the diameter of the balls 61 and 62 and when they are positioned in the opposite ends of the chanel 63 a coil spring 66 .is placed between them which forces them outward until they engage respectively the edges 61' and 62' of the sheared portion of the base 24. The balls 61 and 62 when thus positioned in engagement with the edges 61' and 62' protrude slightly beyond the respective end openings 632 and 633 of the channel 63 to permit them to engage the peripheral notched faces of the disks 26 and 26. From the above description it is readily apparent that the balls 61 and 62 are held in yielding position by means of the spring 66 in association with the edges 61 and 62', and the plate 21 which rests against the face 24' of the base 24 of the casing 23 is held in position by the ferrules 25 and prevents. the balls 62 and 63 from being dislodged when the balls 61 and 62 are moved laterally.

The balls 61 and 62 when in position as just described rest respectively'in notches' 60 in the disks 26 and 26' and assuming that the lever 29 is actuated the disk 26 associated with it is also rotated as before described and causes the notch 60 in which theball 61 rested to move away from the ball 61 and bring the peripheral edge 262 of the disk 26 into engagement with the ball 61, and causes it to be forced inward against the tension of the spring 66. After the apex of the peripheral face 268 of the disk 26 between the succeeding notch has passed the summit of the ball 61 the spring 66 which was placed under additional tension by reason of the ball 61 being forced inward now forces the ball 61 into the next notch 60. rlhe normal tension of the spring 66 is such as to maintain the balls 61 and 62 in the notches 60 of the disks 26 and 26' to maintain the rotor elements K and K',

4' agrar rotation of the caml 26 or 26' associated with it 'to cause a snap action when the next notch element K I provide the disk 26 with an integrally formed arm 66 so arranged to cooperate with tongue extensions 67 and 6 7l struck up from the base 24 of the casing 23. When the lever 29 is in its normal or A positiona face 66 of the extension member 66 ofthe disk 26 engages the tongue 67. When the lever 29 is moved to its D position the face 662, of the extension 66 of the disk 26, enters into engagement with the tongue 67. The rotor element Kis prevented .from excessive movement byan integrally formed extension member 68 and two tongues 69 and 69 which perform a service for the rotor element K similarto ythat performed by the members 66, 67 and 67 of the rotor element Kl The plate 21 and the cup shaped enclosing member 22 are secured together by means of stu'ds 70. These four studs 70 also providel means for securing the base 2 to the enclosing casing member 23. The escutcheon 22 is se,-

cured, to the plate 21 and casing member 23,

by means of the ferrules 25 as before described to form a unit enclosing member.

The studs 70 extend rearwardly into the 'casing member 23 and the base 2 is provided with orifices 72 through which the studs 70- pass topermit the base 2 to rest againstthe peripheral led e of the casing 23. 4A pair of orifices 73 an 74 are adapted to receive the ends of the lever shafts 28 and 28 and serve as bearings when the lever shafts are rotated. Nuts 75 have screw threaded engagement with the ends of the studs 70 which protrude through the orifices 72 in the base2 and are screwed down to clamp the base 2 againstl 4 the peripheral edge of the casing member 23.

With the base 2 clamped in this position the operatin levers 29, 29 of the rotor elements K and are rotatable in. the bearings formed by the ferrules 25 and the orifices 73 and 74 in the base 2.

The contacts 6', 7 etc., of the rotor element K are now in position to be engaged by ythe wiper arms 49, 50, 51 and 52 on the disk 44 supported on the lever shaft 28 of the rotor element K. The contacts 3', 4 and 5 of the rotor element K are in position to be en-- gaged by the wiper arms 56, 57, 58 and 59 on the disk 45 supported on the lever shaft 28 `of the rotor element K. The actuating levers 29 and 29 of the rotorelements K and K when rotated to their different' positions cause the wiperarms Vofthe respective elements K and K to engage certain vcombinations of contacts in the base 2 to close the circuits for the different lightsof the automobile and the ignition system of the engine as is well understood by anyone familiar with the art.

As illustrated in 2 of the accompany` ing drawings provide fuse clips 76 and 77 secured respectively to the terminals 18 and 20 by means of suitable screws which have screw threaded engagement with suitable tapped orifices 15 in the said terminals 18 and 20. The terminal 18, to which the fuse clip 76 is secured, is the terminal to which the external battery lead is connected and through the agency-of the fuse 7 8, which is inserted in the terminals or clips 76 and 77, battery current is extended to the l.terminal 20 of the lighting switch unit L so that bat` tery current, which is extended to the differ- Y. ent light circuits by the manipulationof the.-

switch lever 29, vpasses through the fuse 78 for the usual protective purposes.

I also provide a horn button unitwhieh comprises a cylindrical member 104 provided lwith. integrally formed prongs 105 adapted to be inserted in suitable aligned orifices 206, in the plate 21, and casing base 24. The portions of the prongs 105 that extend ,through the casing base 24 are upset to hold the cylindrical member 104 in a rigid osition. The movable member of the hornutton unit HB comprises a cup shaped member 106 of a size to fit in the inside of the cylindrical member 104 where it is slidable longitudinally. A member 107 shaped to fit upon the arcuate shaped bottom 108 of the member 106 extends slightly beyond the sides of said member 106 but with its end 109 tapered down until it is of a size to fit loosel around the cylindrical member 104. Suitab e orifices 110 are provided in the members 106 and 107 to allow a reduced portion 111 of a stem 112 secured to a reduced portion 112 of the stem 112 and acts as a stop for the button HB in its upward movement to its normal position under the influence of. the spring 114. A cup shaped member' 115, made of any 'suitable conducting material such as brass, is fastened to an insulating disk 117 by having portions 118 inserted into suitable orifices provided in the disk 117. These portions 118 are then upset to maintain the disk 117land brass cup 115I in the proper association to form a unitstructure. The disk'117 is provided with a suitable central orifice through which a reduced portion 119 of the stem112 is inserted and washer 120 is then reduced portion 119 protrudes through the orifice in the disk 117 placed over the further of the stem 112 which intatte and which is then spun over to maintain the washer 120 on the end of the stem 112 and at the same time slidably maintain the disk 117 and its cup shaped member 115 on the reduced end portion 119 of the stem 11'2. rllie orifice provided in the disk 117 is large enough to allow the disk 117 and its supported cup 115 to abide on the reduced portion 119 of the shaft 112. A coil spring 121 is placed around the portion 119 and rests between the stop 113 and disk 117 and maintains the disk 117 in its normal position against the washer 120. The circular cup shaped brass member 115 is provided to engage with contacts 18 and 79 to close circuit for the actuation of a motor horn. When it is desirous to operate the horn the operator depresses the button 107 which, by reason. o' its construction, slides down on the cylindrical member 104e and this movement causes the stem 112, the disk 117 and brass cup 115 to be moved in a downward direction as a whole and the movement imparted to the brass cup 115 causes it to engage with the contacts 18 and 79 to complete the circuit for the motor horn. Any additional pressure on the button 107 after the member 115 has engaged the contacts 18 and 7 9 will cause the stem 112 to continue its downward movement and due to the fact that the member 115 is engaging the contacts 18 and 79 this additional movement of the stem 112l causes the stop 113 to compress the spring 121 and permit the reduced portion 119 of the stem 11.2 to slide through the orifice in the disk 117 which supports the member 115. rlhis movement oic the stem 112 after the member 115 has engaged the contacts 18 and 79 will prevent undue pressure being placed upon the member 11 and thus prevent the damage of contacts 18' and 79 and the member 115. `When the pressure is released the spring 121 will again torce the disk 117 and its supported member 115 against the washer 120` and the depressed spring 114 around the stern 112 will force the button 107 and the stem 112 back to normal position.

The lighting and ignition switch as a whole is adapted to be mounted in the cowl oi' the automobile and to accomplish this the cowl of the automobile'is provided with a suitable oriice in which the body of the switch rests and a tongue Vextension 123 integrally formed with the plate 21 registers with a notch provided in the orihce in the cowl o the. automobile to prevent the switch trom turning around. A bracket 125 provided with a pair oi orifices register with two of the studs which protrude through the base 2 of the switch and enter the orifices in the bracket 125. Nuts 127 which have screw threaded engagement with the studs 70 clamp the bracket 125 in position with the leg extensions 128 of the bracket 125 engaging the rear tace of the cowl to thus clamp the switch as a whole against movement in the cowl. Sprin members 129 are secured to the bot tom o the bracket 125-forholding additional fuses :tor reserve useu l also provide a resistance coil 81 one end oi which is fastened to the terminal G and the other end to terminal .7. This coil 81 is provided for the usual light dimming purposes as will be understood by anyone skilled in the art.

While 1 have described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that ll do not wish to be limited to the exact structure as shown and described but aim to cover all such changes and modications as may come under the spirit and scope oit the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A switch of the character described including a front plate, a back plate, a pair of rotatable elements mounted between said plates, operating leversv for said elements, a shaft for each oi said. levers extending through said iront plate, said rotatable element and said back plate, spring pressed ball members, located in a channel integrally `formed in said 'front plate and adapted to engage serrations on said rotatable elements to maintain the said rotatable elements in any adjusted position, and means intermediate ot the ends of said shafts including llshaped members in association with said means on said shafts for locking said shalts against. longitudinal movement.

2. A switch of the character described including a liront plate, a base, a pair of rotat able elements mounted between said plate and base, operating levers having shafts for rotating said rotatable elementss a pair of disks associated with said lrotatable elements, a groove in said shafts, lll-shaped members adapted to be inserted in said grooves to cooperate with said pair oiz' disks to prevent `the longitudinal movement of said shafts,

and housing means integral with said front plate and a pair members and a helical spring supported in said housing meansa said spring yieldingly holding said balls against said rotatable elements 'for maintaining said rotatable elements in their adjusted postI tions.

3. A switch of the character described including a iront plate, a base, a rotor element mountedbetween said plate and said base, an operating lever lor said element, a shaft hav-s ing a groove for said lever, ntending through said iront plate, said rotor element and said base, and a disk associated with said rotor element having an integralh7 formed extension member for limiting the degree of rotation oit said element, a ll-shaped member adapted to be inserted in said `groove to maintain said disk in position on said shaft and to cooper.qu ate withI said disk to kprevent longitudinal ist ' movement of said shaft, a plurality of notches said plate and supported by said casino ain the peripheraledge of said disk, housing means containing a helical spring and a ball front plate, said rotor element and said base,

a disk supported on said shaft and means thereon for limiting the rotation of said rotor element, means including a spring pressed ball member positioned in a'channel integrally formed with said front plate and associated'with said ydisk for maintaining the adjustment of the said lever, a groove in said shaft, and means associated with said groove and said shaft for securing said shaft against longitudinal movement and said disk upon said shaft.

5. A s witch of the character described including a .front plate an a casing, a base, a cylindrical member extending upward from pair of contacts in said base, astem in said cylindrical member, extending through said front plate and said casing, a button for operating said stem comprising two members engaging the inner and the outer circumferences respectively of said cylindrical member, said member serving as guide member for said button, a cup member supported onsaid stem adapted to engage said pair of contacts,

' and means for slidably supporting said cup member on said stem.

6. A switch of the character described including a front plate, an enclosing casing secured to said front plate, a base, a cylindrical member secured to said casing andextend-- ing upward from said plate, a stem in said cylindrical member and extending through said-front plate and said casing, an operating button for said stem consisting of two portions adapted to serve as guiding means by respectively engaging the inner and outer circumferences of said cylindrical member, a

- disk of insulating material, a cup member secured to said disk, said disk and its cup mem ber being slidably supported on said stem and tiltable in relation thereto between said front plate and said base, a pair of contacts in said base adapted to be engaged by said cup member, and means including a' coil spring for maintaining said cup member in its normal position, v

7. A switch of the characterl described including a front plate, a base, a cylindrical member extending upward from said front plate, a stem in saidU cylindrical member and extending through said front plate, a button secured to said stem for actuating said stem,

said button consisting of two portions secured to said stem by a rivet and adapted to serve as guiding means by respectively engaging the inner and outer circumferences of said cylindrical member, a cup member insulated from and slidably supported on said stem and tiltable in-relation thereto, and adapted to engage a pair of Vcontacts in said base, and means for allowing movement of the stem after said cup member engages with said pair gf contacts without affecting said cup mem- 8. A switch of the character described including a front plate, a base, a cylindrical member extending upward from said front plate, a stem located in said cylindrical member and extending through said front plate, a`button associated with said stemand said cylindrical member to actuate said stem, said button consisting of two portions secured to said stem by a rivet and adapted to serve as guiding means by respectively engaging the inner and outer circumferences of said cylindrical member, a cup member insulated from and slidably supported on said stem between said frontv plate and said base and adapted to engage a pair of contacts in said base, a coil spring adapted to ret-urn said stem and associated parts to normal, and means secured to said stem for limiting the return movement and preventing excess movement of said stem.

9. A switch of the character described including a front4 plate, a base, a cylindrical member extending upward from said. front plate, a stem located in said cylindrical memer and extending through said front plate, an operating button for said stem consisting of twoportions adapted to serve as guiding means by respectively engaging the inner and outer circumferences of said cylindrical member, a cup member insulated from and slidably mounted on said stem, a washer for maintaining said cup member on said stem, and means adapted to normally maintain said cup member in position against said Washer.

10. A switch of the character described including a -front plate and a base, a pair of rotor elements, each having a plurality of operative positions and being'supported be tween said plate and base, operating levers having shafts for rotating said rotor elements, a disk associated with each rotor element, grooves on said shafts, U-shaped members adapted to be inserted in said grooves to cooperate with said disks to prevent the longitudinal movement of said shafts, and means formed in the'said front `plate and a pair of ball members positioned therein and spring pressed into engagement with notches in said disks to maintain said rotor elements in any of their operative positions.

l1. A switch of the character described including a front plate and a base, a pair of rotor elements supported between said plate and base, each havinga plurality of opera'- tive positions, operating levers for said elementshaving shafts provided with grooves for moving said rotor elements to any of their operative positions, a disk associated with each rotor element, U-shaped members adapted to be inserted in said grooves to cooperate with said disk members to prevent the longitudinal movement of said shafts, means formed in the said front plate and a pair of ball members positioned therein and spring pressed into engagement with said disks, a plurality of notches in said disks, said b all members engaging nsitches in the respective peripheral edges of said disks to maintain said rotor elements in their normaler operative positions.

12. A switch of the character described including a front plate and a base, a pair of rotor elements supported between said plate and base, each element having a normal and an operative position, operating levers for said rotor element, a disk associated with each rotor element, a pair of ball members yieldingly supported by said front plate, a plurality of notches in said disks, said ball members engaging notches in thel respective peripheral faces of said disks, and spring means between said ball members for pressing said ball members into engagement with notches in the respective disks of said rotor elements.

13. A switch of the charaiiter described including a front plate and a base, a pair of rotor elements supported between said plate and said base', each element having a normal and an operative position, operating levers for said rotor elements, a disk associated with .each rotor element, a pair of hall members yieldingly supported by said front plate, a plurality of notches in said disks, said bali members engaging notches in the respective peripheral faces of said disks, spring means between said ball members for pressing said ball membersinto engagement with said notches inthe respective `disks of said rotor elements, a group of contacts for each rotor element in said base, and wiper elements associated with each actuating lever to be moved into'engagement with said contact groups, said ball members maintaining the wiper elements of said rotor elements in their adjusted positions.

14. A switch of the character described including a front plate and a base, a rotor element mounted between said plate and said base, an operatingl lever for said element, a shaft for said lever extending through said front plate, said rotor element and said base, a groove on said shaft, a U-shaped member adapted to register with said groove tolock said lever against longitudinal movement, spring pressed ball members positioned in a channel integrally formed with said front plate and adapted l'to-engage serrations on said rotatable elements to main said rotatable elements in any adjusted position, and means integral with said U-sha-ped member for holding said U-shaped member in locked position.

15. A device of the character described including a plate member, a shaft extending through said plate member, a disk having a serrated edge secured to said shaft, a U- shaped member inserted in a groove in said shaft for maintaining said disk in position on said shaft and to cooperate with said disk to prevent the longitudinal movement of said shaft, a housing formed integrally with said plate member, and a spring pressed ball member in said housing yieldingly engaging the serrated edge of said disk for positioning the same. l

16. A device of the character describedfincluding a plate member, a rotatable shaft Aextending through said plate member, a disk havinga serrated edge secured to said shaft, a U-shaped member inserted in a groove in said shaft for maintaining said dish in position on said shaft and to cooperate with said disk to prevent the longitudinal movement of said shaft, a housing member formed in tegrally with said plate member, a spring pressed ball member contained in said hous` ing yieldingly engaging the serrated edge of said disk, andy means for limiting the move ment of said disk.

17. A device of the character described including a plate member, a rotary shaft extending through said plate member, a disk mounted on said shaft having a serrated edge, a channel formed in said plate, a second plate mounted against said first plate forming a housing for said channel, and a spring pressed member in said housing for engaging the serrations of said disk.

18. A device of the character described including a plate member, a shaft extending `through said plate member,a disk through llO tion, a groove in said shaft, and a U-shaped member adapted 'to fit into said groove to prevent m'ovement between said disk and said shaft.

19. A device of the character described including a plate member, a shaft extending through said plate member, a disk through which said shaft extends,`spring pressed ball members located in a channel integrally formed with said plate member and adapted to engage serrations on said disk to maintain the' said disk and shaft in any adjusted position, a groove in said shaft, a U-sha-ped member adapted to fit into said groove to prevent movement between said disk and said shaft, a base member having contacts, and a contact maker rotatable by said shaft for engagement with said contacts.,

20. A device of the character described ineluding a plate member, a shaft extending through said plate member, a disk through which said shaft extends, a groove in 'said shaft, a U-shaped member adapted to iit into said groove to prevent movement bet-Ween said disk and said shaft, a base member having contacts, a Contact maker rotatable by said shaft for engagement with said contacts, 10 Spring pressed ball members positioned in a L channel integrally formed with said plate member and adapted to Cooperate with a serrated edge of said disk to maintain the said Contact maker in its adjusted position, and means formed on said plate member for cooperation with said disk' to limit the movement of said shaft.

Signed by me at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 6th day of March, 1925.

ERNEST A. BOHLMAN.

Aso 

